D.I.Y. is the way many of my favorite artist have gone, from the Beastie Boys (after they left Def Jam and formed Grand Royal), Atmosphere (Duo from Minnesota who own Rhymesayers) it is the one and only true way an artist can be free to do what they want.

This album “Crush” shows why indie hip-hop is so important to the genre. I’ve said before that hip hop is always changing and evolving, and this album, to me, shows when happens when it evolves in to a beautiful thing.

Clemits is an Emcee from Austin Tx who knows his musical roots, and its shows, throught “Crush” but some how manages to remind you that this album dropped last year in 2015, Honestly I think he’s making Austin proud.

“Calling My Name” defiantly stuck with me the first time I heard it, and is a really great song to open with, it has great sample and really tight flows, and a nice shout out to Gary Clark Jr. (another Austin native who some say is the next Jimi Hendrix) and Run The Jewels. “Lonley 1″ is another track that I could not get enough of. It has a great piano sample, hook and amazing writing. “Strange” ft. Ariano is one track that found my repeat button. I love the phrase “I used to be s squirrel trying to get a nut, now a lone wolf on a murderous hunt”. “Doors, Locks, Keys” is a really cool song, its kind of an homage to Felt’s “Dirty Girl” to me, and that only makes this album better. “She Says” and “Close2U” deserve an honorable mention as well.

I really think this album is something special and really is something to get excited about, if you enjoy: Madlib, Gramatik, Eyedea and Abilities, Atmosphere and everything in between don’t pass this up.

I love the fact that technology is a huge tool when it comes to DIY. No longer do struggling artist have to save up money to record an album that might be forgotten long before it was even cut. I’m blown away if an artist can lay down an album, I’m even more blown away when I learn they made an album by themselves. That is exactly what a personal friend of mine, Kaylon T. Sherman, did on his ”Beyond” ep.

To me he brings all the aspects of what great post-metal bands do, make great thrash riffs, while showing off the beauty of great harmonies. There is no better example of this formula executed perfectly than the title track, “Beyond”.

I was immediately drawn to it because it doesn’t start in a typical way, it starts off as a metal song to its full potential, then shows you its more melodic side so naturally. I personally love the outerlude to this track, it gave off a very Mogwai feel, while keeping the general rhythm of the track, which is why it works so beautifully.

“Depature III [For Good]” ,the last track on this ep, is another track that made me stop what I was doing and just sit down and listen. This track is composed with so much passion and feeling, its hard to ignore or at least make you hit your rewind button. “Beyond” will make you ask, “Where is this going next” but the answer it gives is nothing short of satisfactory.

They say that hip-hop is not dead, but evolving. ”Short Breath, Louds Scream” , my man Nate Flud’s 3rd album, shows you why hip hop thrives in times of over produced, auto tuned voices. You can hear the influences pour out as soon as you start this unorthodox album. It’s what I love about art. Be yourself, give it all you got and don’t regret it.

“For the first time” easily sets the tone of the record. I love the fact that there’s a live band which to me is kind of a lost art in modern hip hop. The fact that he did it all him self, to me, makes it even more powerful. A personal favorite “The Song Inside” will definitely grab you by the neck and remind you why he’s an emcee. With tracks like, “”Let Your Light Shine” and “Let Go”, I believe this album has something to say to everyone.

If you’re a fan of Alice in Chains, Sadistik, Eyedea and Abilities or just love deep, lyrical hip hop, don’t sleep on this one.

He’s also his about to drop his fourth album, “From A Friend” in early February.

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